Unravelling the relation between processed crude oils and the composition of spent caustic effluents as well as the respective economic impact.

Spent caustic discharges are responsible for increasing oil and grease (O&G) matter in refineries wastewater, leading to increasing treatment costs due to low water quality and environmental constraints associated with high O&G concentration discharges. As a way to settle and optimize treatment technologies for such complex effluents, more insight regarding the effluents impact and deeper characterization is necessary. The present study intends to assess the possibility of a relationship between the processed crude oils with the polar O&G concentration in naphthenic spent caustic as well as in the final wastewater; Sines refinery was considered as case-study. Also, in order to get insights about the nature of the polar O&G compounds, their structures and their prevalence in the effluent treatment system was carried out through detailed analytical characterization studies. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were chosen. It was found that, for the Sines refinery, spent caustic discharges may increase the refinery effluent management cost up to 3 €/ton of processed crude oil, every time a high kerosene cut acid crude oil is processed. It was also found that the typical spent caustic O&G effluents are composed by organic contaminants with low molecular weight (MW), with aromatic and polar arrangements, like phenolic groups and naphthenic acids. This outcome is crucial for subsequently establishing the best technologies able to deal with such complex effluents.

Drinking water and biofilm disinfection by Fenton-like reaction.

A Fenton-like disinfection process was conducted with Fenton's reagent (H2O2) at pH 3 or 5 on autochthonous drinking water biofilms grown on corroded or non-corroded pipe material. The biofilm disinfection by Fenton-like oxidation was limited by the low content of iron and copper in the biomass grown on non-corroded plumbing. It was slightly improved by spiking the distribution system with some additional iron source (soluble iron II or ferrihydrite particles appeared as interesting candidates). However successful in situ disinfection of biofilms was only achieved in fully corroded cast iron pipes using H2O2 and adjusting the pH to 5. These new results provide additional support for the use of Fenton's processes for cleaning drinking water distribution systems contaminated with biological agents or organics.

[Prejudices and traditions in nursing]. / Os pré-juízos e a tradição na enfermagem.

The authors try to identify the prejudices and traditions in nursing, thinking about the maintenance of the myths, stigmas and stereotypes throughout its history, facing the GADAMER's ideas.

[Reorganization of the graduate course in pediatric nursing at the nursing school at the Federal University at Minas Gerais. Evaluation of the process]. / Reestruturação da disciplina enfermagem pediátrica do curso de graduação da escola de enfermagem da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais: avaliação do processo.

In this paper, the faculty from the Pediatric Nursing Subject (Undergraduate Course) at the Nursing School of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais evaluate a teaching project. Its main purpose was to reorganize the Subject based on ABATT; MCMAHON's approach to the teaching-learning process. The authours evaluate the results and highlight the positive aspects occurred due to the reorganization and confirm the need to continue the process.

[Teaching communication in the nursing graduation course at the nursing school of the Minas Gerais Federal University]. / Ensino de comunicações no curso de graduação em enfermagem da escola de enfermagem da universidade federal de Minas Gerais.

Facing the importance of the communication in all nursing activities, in this paper the authors try to verify how has been occurring the teaching-learning process related to the communication subject during the undergraduate nursing course in the Nursing School at Federal University of Minas Gerais. The data were collected by interviewing professors and students from the undergraduate course. The results showed that the basic problem in this process is not "what" to teach but "how" to teach the subject.

[Relationship between the aged and their families]. / O relacionamento do idoso com os seus familiares.

This paper is an explorative--descriptive study trying to reach the following objectives: to know the interpersonal relationship between the elder and his relatives and verify what is the elder's perception about the elderly process. The authors interviewed 20 persons (10 men and 10 women) after 60 years of age. The results showed probably will give some guidance for the nursing assistance to the elderly population.

[The teaching-learning process: a report on experience]. / Processo ensino-aprednizagem: relato de experiência.

The author reports her experience in implementing a process of change in the course of "Pediatric Nursing" taught to graduation students of UFMG where she works giving guidance to her colleagues and as a subject of the process. The tutors used, as a starting point, their personal working experiences and went on in the process studying more deeply teaching and assessment methods. She relates her own experience after implementing an improved proposal using the evaluation of tutors and the students.